Depression is a major cause of disability in the general population; even more so in stroke survivors. Over the past decade the interdisciplinary team of nurses, physicians and bio-behavioral scientists who make up the Living Well With Stroke Team at the University of Washington has been testing and refining a counselling therapy, used along with pharmacotherapy to reduce depression and improve the quality of life in stroke survivors. In clinical trials depression has been markedly reduced or eliminated when compared with usual care. The Living Well With Stroke Team works collaboratively with the Stroke Centers at several regional hospitals.
nursing.washington.edu